Galinda knew exactly what was going on. Her foster parents had said they wanted to speak to her in the kitchen. She fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, waiting for the blow to come. 5 years' worth of experience told her it would be unpleasant.
"We have some news, Galinda dear," her foster mom said. "We're going to have a baby."
Wonderful, thought Galinda.
"We realise that having a baby in the house would be hard on you," her foster dad continued, "so we think it would be best if…"
"I went back to Riverside," Galinda finished for him. "It's ok. I understand." She slid out of her chair and went upstairs to pack. The well-rehearsed routine was second nature to her now. She had been with so many families now that the other children called her the yo-yo girl.
She sighed as she picked up her old teddy. "Moving back again, teddy," she said mournfully. "I really liked these ones, too."
"Welcome back, dear," Mrs Espa greeted Galinda as she dragged her luggage through the door. She watched the couple leave and sighed. "Are you alright?" she asked kindly.
"Yes, I'm fine," Galinda responded. "I'm used to it now." She smiled sadly.
A group of boys shambled into the hallway and the oldest one said "Well, look at that. Yo-yo girl's back. What did you do this time, Galinda?"
"Nothing," she spat back at him. "They decided they'd rather have a baby instead of me. Thanks for your sympathy." All she wanted to do now was to hide in her room amongst all the familiar objects and the bubbles on the walls.
"Can you please be nice, boys," Mrs Espa admonished them as they laughed. "At least for this evening." She then led Galinda upstairs.
When they reached her room, Galinda turned and said earnestly "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Mrs Espa replied, giving the girl a brief hug. "I know this is difficult for you."
Galinda smiled and walked into her room. She dumped her bags on the floor and threw herself on the bed. She cried into her pillow, wondering why this kept happening to her. "It's just not fair," she sobbed.
The next morning, Galinda's school teacher told her there was going to be a new girl in her class. "I want you to look after her today," the teacher said. "Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, Miss," Galinda replied eagerly, happy to have the chance to make a new friend.
"Good girl," the teacher said, smiling warmly.
Galinda found the new girl sat on her own on a bench in the playground and went over to introduce herself. "Hello, I'm Galinda."
"I'm Lila," the girl replied shyly. "I've been feeling a little nervous."
"You'll be fine," Galinda reassured her. "I'll look after you."
Lila smiled. "Thank you," she said.
Galinda was just giving Lila some advice when some of the other girls from their class came over. "Hi there, new girl," one of them said. "Do you like Galinda?"
"Yeah, she's been really nice," Lila responded.
"Whatever you're doing, stop it, Mysti," Galinda hissed.
"Uh uh, Galinda," Mysti said nastily. "I just want to make sure that this girl knows you well enough. For example, if she knows why your uniform is so tatty. Have you told her yet?"
Galinda groaned when Lila looked at her with interest. "I have a second-hand uniform," she explained sadly, "because I'm in care."
Mysti and her little gang all smirked whilst Lila looked bewildered.
"Thanks, Mysti," Galinda sniffed. "You always have to ruin things, don't you?"
"Galinda, I hope you don't think I'll stop being friends with you because of that," Lila said. "I'm not as shallow as some people here seem to be."
Galinda beamed broadly and walked away with Lila, leaving Mysti gaping in disbelief.
At lunch, the two girls sat outside with Galinda's friends.
"Can you come over this weekend, Glin?" a boy named Raff asked.
Galinda shook her head. "I'm seeing my parents on Saturday," she said. "Sorry, Raff."
"That's alright," Raff replied. "I hope you'll be ok."
"It can hardly be any worse than last time," she said sadly and her friends all nodded.
"What happened last time?" Lila asked.
"I got this," she stated, pushing back her hair on the right to reveal a red scar. "Dad pushed me over and I hit the bedframe. I had to get stitches."
"I'm sorry," Lila gasped. "I had no idea."
"That's ok," Galinda responded. "You would have found out sooner or later."
As they travelled to the prison on Saturday, Galinda could feel her nerves rising. She knew these visits were important, but that didn't make them any easier. She signed her name at the front desk, said goodbye to Mrs Espa and was led away.
As soon as she saw her parents, she wanted to run and hide. Prison had made them harder and they were thinner. "Hello," she said shyly. "It's good to see you again."
"How are you, Galinda?" her Mom asked. "Is school ok?"
"I'm fine," she replied. "School is going well. I made a new friend this week."
"I hope you're learning as well," her Dad cut in.
"Of course," she said earnestly. "I'm almost top of my class."
"Only almost," he spat harshly. "You should be top. Are you stupid?"
"I'm not stupid," she responded calmly. "I'm just not the cleverest person either."
"Calm down, dear," her mother said. "Don't ruin this."
Her Dad breathed deeply and shut his eyes. After a long moment, he opened them again and said "I'm sorry, Galinda. I know you're not stupid."
Galinda smiled. She knew her Dad must have been working hard if he was able to do that.
By way of explanation, her Mom said "He's been taking anger management classes again."
"I'm glad," Galinda said. "I want you to get better."
"Thank you, Galinda," he said, smiling at her.
They talked a while longer about school and the home. Galinda explained what happened with her last placement and her parent's seemed sorry that she was unable to have a stable family home. She reassured them that it was ok and that she didn't mind being in the home.
After an hour or so, a guard came to fetch Galinda. She said goodbye and, much to her surprise, both her parents embraced her. She walked out to meet Mrs Espa in a daze.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" the woman asked.
"I think so," she replied tentatively. "They hugged me."
Galinda reflected on the day as she lay in bed that night. The behaviour of her parents had certainly been unexpected. But, pleased as she was, she was under no illusions. If her father kept on trying then her would get better, but there was no guarantee. Things could just as easily go wrong again. She decided that she would continue to be careful, just as she always had. There was no sense in taking chances.